Religious Studies 219: The History of Christianity
Syllabus: CRN 81964
Fall Semester 2016
Credit Hours: 3
Prerequisites: None
RELG 219 has been designated as a SpeakWrite course by the Eberly College of Arts and Sciences. As part of the Eberly College’s commitment to fostering effective communication skills, this course will emphasize informal and formal modes of communication, teach discipline-specific communication techniques, use a process-based approach to learning that provides opportunities for feedback and revision, and base 35% of your final grade on successful written performance.
Instructor:Dr. Jane Donovan
253 Stansbury Hall
304-293-7739
Course meets: MWF 11:30 - 12:20
Location: 225 Brooks Hall
Course objectives:
This course will introduce the development of Christianity and the experiences of the church from 33 C.E. to the present. The formation of the Church, Christian institutions, theology, and doctrine will be considered in the context of historic events. The influence of key theologians of the pre-Reformation period (Augustine and Aquinas), the Protestant Reformation (Luther, Zwingli, Calvin, and Wesley), and the modern period (Schleiermacher, Barth, and Rahner) will be discussed.
This course is not about my faith or yours. It is about the history of Christianity. We will talk about theology and about issues of faith and belief as they affect the behavior of the church. We will make every effort to respect the uniquely American separation of church and state as we talk about religious history in a public university. As I lecture and as we all discuss various issues in the history of Christianity, I am not endorsing any view or any theological position. I will present what the proponents of these ideas thought, how and what they believed – and what their opponents believed as well.
General Education Objectives: This course meets GEF 5, and GEC Objectives 3 and 8.
Expected Learning Outcomes:
Following active participation in this course, students will be able to
oexplain the significant people and events that have shaped the course of Christianity over the past 2,000 years,
ounderstand and explain how other religions and cultures have affected the Christian faith,
orecognize how Christianity’s internal struggles have impacted the church,
oengage in scholarly research and writing to produce a paper discussing an important person who influenced the course of Christianity.
Required Course Texts:
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- The Bible. NRSV or New Oxford preferred.
- Justo L. Gonzalez, The Story of Christianity, vol. 1: The Early Church to the Dawn of the
Reformation (San Francisco: Harper Collins, 2010).
- Justo L. Gonzalez, The Story of Christianity, vol. 2: The Reformation to the Present Day (San Francisco: Harper Collins, 2010).
Course Grade: Your grade will be based on successful completion of the following requirements:
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- Vocabulary Quiz, Monday, August 29...... 100 points
2.Prospectus and Bibliography, due Wednesday, September 21...... 100 points
3.Mid-term Exam: Friday October 7...... 250 points
4.Map Quiz, Friday, October 28...... 100 points
5.Research Paper, due Wednesday, November 9...... 200 points
5.Final Exam, Tuesday, December 13, 11 a.m. to 1 p.m...... 250 points
VOCABULARY QUIZ, August 29: The vocabulary quiz will test your knowledge of important terms that we will use repeatedly over the course of the semester. Every academic discipline has its own vocabulary and Religious Studies is no exception. These terms will prepare you to engage in the academic study of Christianity. This quiz will make up 10% of your grade.
PROSPECTUS AND ANNOTATED BIBLIOGRAPHY, due Wednesday, September 21: A prospectus and annotated for your research paper are due. You must submit a one-page prospectus and a one-page annotated bibliography for your research paper.
The prospectus should give evidence that you have a plan for writing the research paper. It should be 3 paragraphs long. Each paragraph should address one of the three questions your final paper will answer (see below for the questions), explaining what you think the answer to the questions will be. An example will be provided on the eCampus page for this class.
The annotated bibliography should list at least 4 appropriate scholarly sources you intend to use for the research on your paper. Write one sentence for each source, explaining what information you expect to get from that source. An example will be provided on the eCampus page for this class. This assignment will make up 10% of your grade.
Note: I will often provide feedback to the class as a whole to note patterns of strength to maintain and trouble spots to avoid as you continue to improve your abilities to explain and apply key course concepts. Knowledge is cumulative. Understanding your strengths and challenges on early assignments and exams (especially the Prospectus/Annotated Bibliography assignment) will help you do better as you continue to articulate what you know. You are also welcome to meet with me during office hours or by appointment for additional feedback.
MAP QUIZ, Friday, October 28: The map quiz will be based on a map of important locations in the Protestant Reformation. The map will be provided in class. This will make up 10% of your grade.
EXAMS, October 7 and December 13: Exams will include material from lectures and readings. The final exam will not be comprehensive. The exams will include objective questions and short answer questions. Each exam makes up 25% of your grade.
RESEARCH PAPER, due Wednesday, November 9. This assignment makes up 20% of your grade.
Please choose one person from the list below and write a 2,500-word page paper about that person. That should come out to about 8 or 9 pages of double-spaced, 12 point Times New Roman font. Your paper must answer 3 questions:
1.What was the historical context in which that person lived? In other words, what important events and/or theological movements affected that person and his/her work?
2.Provide a biographical sketch of that person.
3. What was that person’s important contribution to the history of Christianity? In other words, why should we care about this person?
You must provide evidence you have consulted at least 4 academic or scholarly sources. If you wish to use internet sources, those sources MUST be approved in advance. Footnotes and bibliography (OR in-text citations and Works Cited page) are required and must be done in a consistent style. I strongly encourage you to begin your research right away in case you need to get research materials from Inter-Library Loan. If you need help identifying appropriate source material, please contact me as early in the semester as possible. WIKIPEDIA IS NOT AN APPROPRIATE SOURCE FOR AN ACADEMIC PAPER. You may NOT use Wikipedia as a source for your paper.
I will NOT accept papers handed in via email. All papers MUST be handed in both in paper copy and through turnitin.com. Turnitin.com can be accessed through the eCampus page for this course at If you wish to turn your paper in before November 9, you may do so. Papers will not be accepted after 2:00 pm on November 9.
The subject of your paper should be a person who was significant in the history of Christianity, but is not covered in course lectures. A list of possible paper topics is given below. If you want to write your paper about a person who is not on this list, you MUST get approval in advance. You may NOT write your paper on someone about whom I will lecture in the course. The purpose of the assignment is for you to learn about someone we will not talk about in class. PAPER TOPICS MUST BE APPROVED no later than September 7. Earlier is better.
As you are developing your paper, keep these four questions in mind:
oPurpose: What exactly do I want to happen as a result of this communication?
oAudience: Who is reading?
oConventions: What is expected in this context?
oTrouble-Spots: What could get in the way of my goal?
You may also want to explore the resources on the SpeakWrite website:
Possible paper topics:
Jeanne d’Albret (1528-1572)Bernard of Clairvaux (1090-1153)
Catherine of Siena (1347-1380)Clare of Assisi (1192-1253)
Vittoria Colonna (1490-1547)Cyprian (200-258)
Johann Eck (1486-1543)Pope Martin IV (ca. 1215-1285)
Perpetua (d. 202)Reginald de la Pole (1500-1558)
Michael Sattler (1495-1527)Michael Servetus (1511-1553)
Menno Simons (1496-1561)Thecla (ca. 150-200)
Winifred (d. 660)
Grades:
Grades will be based on the following scale:
A = 225 to 250 points B = 200-224 points C = 175-199 points D = 150-174 points
F = fewer than 149 points
Grades for Papers:
An A paper is an outstanding essay which reflects a perceptive and thoughtful response to the assignment. It is well-organized with excellent development of its ideas and reflects the writer’s command of appropriate rhetorical strategies. The prose is vigorous and fresh, and the writer is clearly in control of standard conventions of American prose.
A B paper is a very good essay that fulfills the assignment and shows evidence of clear thought and good planning. It is well organized with good supporting details. The writing is fluent and there are only minor errors in the mechanics of writing, which do not interfere with reading the essay.
A C paper is a satisfactory essay which fulfills the assignment and is adequately developed. The writing is clear and coherent with relatively few errors in usage and mechanics, but the writer fails to demonstrate any particular strength that would distinguish an above-average essay.
A D paper is a below-average essay which fulfills the assignment but exhibits major problems in writing. It may have difficulty with the presentation of ideas (e.g., lack of a clear thesis, weak organization, poor development of ideas, inappropriate diction, poor spelling) or be marred by enough errors in the mechanics of writing to distract the reader.
An F paper is an essay that relates to the topic but does not comply with the requirements of the assignment or is so poorly presented that it fails to fulfill the assignment. It fails to present its basic ideas, either because of poor organization and lack of clarity or because the writing reflects a lack of control over the basic conventions of standard American usage. Such an essay may have sentence boundary problems, poor use of idiom, inappropriate diction (words used incorrectly), agreement errors, or verb tense problems.
An essay that represents dishonest work by the student, principally the use of ideas or writing which are clearly not the student’s own work, will receive a grade of F. Please refer to the West Virginia University Undergraduate Catalog for the WVU policy on Academic Dishonesty, or see the WVU Student Conduct Code at
Attendance policy:
Attendance is required. You are expected to be on time for class. Attendance will be taken. You are permitted 5 unexcused absences over the course of the semester. For every unexcused absence beyond 5, your grade will drop by one full letter. For example, if you have 6 unexcused absences, you cannot get a grade higher than a B. If you have 7 unexcused absences, you cannot get a grade higher than a C. Any student with 9 or more unexcused absences will automatically receive a grade of F for the course.
An excused absence is an absence for which you have proof that it could not be avoided OR a Day of Special Concern that applies to your religion or culture. If you must participate in an official WVU-sponsored activity, bring me a letter from the professor, coach, band director, or other WVU official who is in charge of the activity. If you are seriously ill, please contact me privately to discuss your situation. You are granted 5 free absences. Use them wisely.
Class participation is strongly encouraged. Please come to class prepared. It is expected that you will take the exams and the map quiz at the times specified on the syllabus. If, due to emergency or excusable absence, it is impossible for you to meet the course schedule, it is your responsibility to negotiate a make-up date.
Days of Special Concern:
WVU recognizes the diversity of its students and the needs of those who wish to be absent from class to participate in Days of Special Concern, which are listed in the Schedule of Courses. Students should notify the instructor by the end of the second week of classes or prior to the first Day of Special Concern, whichever is earlier, regarding the Day of Special Concern observances that will affect their attendance. Further, students must abide by the attendance policy for this class that is stated on this syllabus. The instructor will make reasonable accommodation for tests or other assignments that a student misses as a result of observing a Day of Special Concern.
Weather cancellations:
If class is cancelled due to severe weather or other conditions that would make it unsafe for you to come to campus, I will email the class on the MIX system no later than 9:30 a.m. If you are uncertain about an unexpected cancellation, please email me or contact the Religious Studies office at 304-293-3641 ext 0.
Classroom Behavior:
Please make certain that all cell phones, pagers, and other electronic equipment are turned off during class. You are expected to pay attention and avoid doing anything that would disrupt the class. Please respect your fellow students and your professor.
Readings:
You must read the texts as assigned BEFORE the lectures. You will be responsible for both lecture material and textbook material on the exams.
Academic Honesty:
The integrity of the classes offered by WVU solidifies the foundation of our mission and cannot be sacrificed to expediency, ignorance, or blatant fraud. Therefore, I will enforce rigorous standards of academic integrity in all aspects and assignments of this course. For the detailed policy of West Virginia University regarding the definitions of acts considered to fall under academic dishonesty and possible ensuing sanctions, please see the WVU Academic Catalog at Should you have any questions about possibly improper research citations or references, or any other activity that could be interpreted as an attempt at academic dishonesty, please see me BEFORE the assignment is due to discuss the matter.
Sale of Course Material Statement:
All course materials, including lectures, class notes, quizzes, exams, handouts, presentations, and other materials provided to students for this course are protected intellectual property. The unauthorized purchase or sale of these materials may result in disciplinary sanctions under the Campus Student Code.
Inclusivity Statement:
The West Virginia University community is committed to creating and fostering a positive learning and working environment based on open communication, mutual respect, and inclusion. If you are a person with a disability and anticipate needing any type of accommodation in order to participate in this class, please advise me and make appropriate arrangements with the Office of Accessibility Services (304-293-6700). For more information on West Virginia University’s Diversity, Equity, and Inclusion Initiatives, please see
Course ScheduleReading Assignments
Week 1:
Wed, Aug 17 - Introduction to the Course
Fri, Aug 19 - Jewish expectations for a Messiah...I Samuel 2:1-10, Isaiah 11:1-9; Malachi 1-4
Week 2
Mon, Aug 22 - The Social & Historical Context of Jesus: Roman Palestine ...Gonzalez 1: 7-23
Wed, Aug 24 - Who was Jesus? ...... Matthew 1-28
Fri, Aug 26 - Jesus and Christianity ...... Acts 1-8, Gonzalez 1:24-30
Week 3
Mon Aug 29 - VOCABULARY QUIZ
Wed Aug 31 - Paul and the mission to the Gentiles ...... Acts 9-28, Gonzalez 1:31-39
Fri Sept 2 - Persecution and Martyrdom ...... Gonzalez 1:41-58, 83-96
Week 4
Monday Sept 5 - Labor Day - NO CLASS
Wed Sept 7 - Research Workshop...... PAPER TOPIC DUE
Fri Sept 9 - Heresy and Interpretation...... Gonzalez 1:59-74
Week 5
Mon Sept 12 - Constantine ...... Gonzalez 1:119-148
Wed Sept 14 - Forming the Christian canon ...... Gonzalez 1: 75-81, 182-192, 199-207
Fri Sept 16 - Monasticism...... Gonzalez 1:157-172, 209-217, 277-281
Week 6
Mon Sept 19 - Augustine...... Gonzalez 1:173-179, 241-252
Wed Sept 21 - Medieval Christianity in the West...... Gonzalez 1:269-277
PROSPECTUS AND ANNOTATED BIBLIOGRAPHY DUE
Fri Sept 23- Christianity in Ethiopia...... Gonzalez 1:253-258
Week 7
Mon Sept 26 - Medieval Christianity in the East ...... Gonzalez 1:295-313
Wed Sept 28 - Islam and The Crusades...... Gonzalez 1:289-293, 345-456
Fri Sept 30 - Mendicants and Scholasticism...... Gonzalez 1:327-334, 357-363, 369-380
Week 8
Mon Oct 3 - Mysticism: Hildegard of Bingen...... Gonzalez 1:425-431
Rosh Hashanah - Day of Special Concern
Wed Oct 5 - Midterm exam review...... no readings assigned
Fri Oct 7 - MIDTERM EXAM
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Week 9
Mon Oct 10 - Stirrings of Reformation...... Gonzalez 1:402-422
Wed Oct 12 - Martin Luther ...... Gonzalez 2: 19-35
Yom Kippur - Day of Special Concern
Fri Oct 14 - Martin Luther, continued...... 2:37-56
Week 10
Mon Oct 17 - Ulrich Zwingli + the Radical Reformation ...... Gonzalez 2:57-76
Wed Oct 19 - John Calvin ...... Gonzalez 2:77-86
Fri Oct 21 - The Reformation in England and France ...... Gonzalez 2:87-104, 124-134
Week 11
Mon Oct 24 - The Catholic Reformation ...... Gonzalez 2:135-149
Wed Oct 26- War and Rebellion...... Gonzalez 2:177-184, 193-209
Fri Oct 28 - MAP QUIZ
Week 12
Mon Oct 31 - Orthodoxy in Catholicism, Lutheranism, and Calvinism ....Gonzalez 2:211-235
Wed Nov 2 - John Wesley...... Gonzalez 2:259-273
Fri Nov 4 - The New World: Spain & Portugal ...... Gonzalez 1:448-485
Week 13
Mon Nov 7 - Christianity in North America ...... Gonzalez 2:275-290
Wed Nov 9 - Modernity and Protestant Responses ...... Gonzalez 2:385-397
RESEARCH PAPER DUE!!!
Fri Nov 11 - Modernity and Catholic Responses...... Gonzalez 2:399-415
Day of Special Concern: Veterans’ Day
Week 14
Mon Nov 14 - Missions...... Gonzalez 2:417-440
Wed Nov 16 - World Wars and the Russian Revolution ...... Gonzalez 2:301-317
Fri Nov 18 - The German Church Struggle...... Gonzalez 2:457-465
Mon Nov 21 - Fri Nov 25: NO CLASS - Fall Break
Week 15
Mon Nov 28 - Dietrich Bonhoeffer...... no readings assigned
Wed Nov 30 - Dietrich Bonhoeffer...... no readings assigned
Fri Dec 2 - Vatican 2 and Liberation Theology ...... Gonzalez 2:441-455, 520-524
Week 16
Mon Dec 5 - The Church in the 21st Century...... Gonzalez 2:525-530
Wed Dec 7 - Review for Final Exam
Tuesday, December 13, 11 a.m. to 1 p.m., FINAL EXAM
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